Aug 31, 2012

Tamil Nadu: Ayurveda safe, say Vaidyas

Coimbatore: The community of Ayurvedic practitioners here have
reacted strongly to a report published by US health researchers a few
days ago claiming documented evidence of lead poisoning risks among
pregnant women who took Ayurvedic medicine. While they admitted that the
Ayurvedic medicines did contain lead compounds - widely criticised by
the US health researchers - the Vaidyas said that these compounds were
present in miniscule quantities and served medicinal values rather than
causing detriments.
“An integral part of Ayurveda is the ‘Rasa Shastra’ or the
practice of intentionally adding metals, minerals or gems to the
medicine,” said Dr K Murali, senior physician and superintendent of
Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala. “However, it is not added in the raw form
but is clinically and scientifically processed. In particular
conditions, it is absolutely necessary to add lead compounds that are
used as medicines in prescribed and miniscule doses.”
The promoters of Ayurveda also alleged that it was the half-baked
knowledge of Ayurshastra, or the science of Ayurveda, that led to the
misconception in the West. Said Dr Manoj Nesari, Joint Adviser
(Ayurveda), Department of AYUSH, Government of India, “It is no secret
that Ayurvedic medicine is about 20 per cent of mineral and gemstone
origin.”